Books, eMedia & More Blog

On December 2, Kinky Friedman will be appearing at Off Broadway in St. Louis. Mr. Friedman is a prolific writer, musician, and 2006 gubernatorial candidate in Texas. Over the past few years Friedman has gained notoriety for his outspoken political views and his cutting sense of humor, which he delivers through his books and web-based columns.

"Lorraine" by Lori McKenna is full of songs that tell the sad but sweet tale of an ordinary life. Lori McKenna is a singer songwriter with an emotionally charged voice. She can be considered a folk artist, but she has a heavy twang which makes her sound country. However, some of the songs on "Lorraine" have more of a pop sound like "You Get a Love Song" and "...

Fall always ushers in knitting season for me, when the cooler temperatures bring forth cozy memories of curling up with a knitting project. If you are looking for something new to knit, pick up "Contemporary Irish Knits" by Carol Feller. This book contains 20 beautiful apparel and accessories designs for men, women, and children, each crafted with richly colored yarns and intricate textures. Feller has included material...

The film "Paper Moon," although produced in the 1970s, was shot in black-and-white, thus transporting viewers back to the era in which it is set, the Great Depression, and rekindling the stark emotions of the time. Audiences may be surprised to find that while the story of an orphaned child, Addie, in the Depression era might not sound like a laugh-out-loud comedy, "Paper Moon" is a wonderfully witty road movie, whose charm still holds true...

Colson Whitehead's novel "Zone One" might be called a zombie novel or post-apocalyptic fiction. But even those without interest in Armageddon scenarios or the undead will enjoy this thought-provoking book. In addition to presenting a gruesome picture of the aftermath of a worldwide catastrophe, it explores the survival techniques humans use to live with one another in good times and bad.

After a hectic and busy day at work, many of us find the drive-thru of our favorite greasy pit to be the last stop before we reach home. Most of us are guilty of this sinful detour because, frankly we just don't have the time, let alone the effort left in us to cook a well balanced and hearty meal. "Fix it & Forget-it" by New York Times best-selling...

The beating heart of the tragi-comic "Super Sad True Love Story" (hereafter SSTLS in deference to word count and the novel's own penchant for acronyms) is the LS itself, a love story that really is SS. Lenny Abramov, nearly 40, falls madly in love with the 24 year-old (and deeply disaffected) Eunice Park; what follows is the two of them trying to make sense of each other...

Way back in 1995 Gregory Maguire started something big with "Wicked: the life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West." Maguire has said that he hoped to tell a new story about a familiar villain. He succeeded. "Wicked" became a huge hit spawning a four book series and an award-winning musical. The latest book "Out of Oz: the final volume in the Wicked Years" is available this month. Now might be a good time to catch up with the series.

In "Wicked" readers learn about Elphaba Thropp and her fight against a tyrannical Wizard of...

While you are waiting this autumn for Coldplay's "Mylo Xyloto," Wilco's "The Whole Love" or Red Hot Chili Peppers' "I'm with You," check out past recordings, such as "Californication" or "A Ghost Is Born" or "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends." The library also has recordings of the artists who influenced Coldplay, such as George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass." Did you know that Uncle Tupelo was an earlier version of Wilco? Give funk-master George Clinton a listen; he produced Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Freaky Styley."